Hospitality

Do you take hospitality seriously?

Many professing Christians do not. In fact, many probably cannot even remember the last time they invited a neighbor (much less an absolute stranger) into their home to demonstrate the love of Christ through simple acts of Christian hospitality.

If more Christians did take hospitality seriously, their doors would always be open the stranger, their kitchens would always be open to the hungry, their couches would always be available to the homeless, their wallets would always be open to the needy, and their claims to be followers of Christ would be clearly confirmed.

God calls you to take hospitality seriously:

“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” (Hebrews 13:2) and “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.” (1 Peter 4:9). For Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you did it unto me.” (Matt. 25:40)

Appearance

Do you take your personal appearance seriously?

Many professing Christians do not. While there are many who are committed to sharing their faith verbally, there seems to be relatively few who understand the inherent complexity of communication (i.e., the inevitable interrelation between a message and its medium).

If more Christians understood this, they would realize that while God does indeed look on the heart, ordinary people look first at the outward appearance. It therefore becomes our responsibility to ensure that our posture, clothing, and personal grooming habits do not in any way distract from our message.

God calls you to take your personal appearance seriously:

“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being… Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” (1 Cor. 10:23-24, 32)

Marriage

Do you take marriage seriously?

Many professing Christians do not. While many modern Christians are indeed happy to be married, it seems they have not considered how their marriages were designed to reflect the relationship that Christ Jesus has with his Church.

If more Christians did consider this, they would be far more careful about how they relate to one another, far more diligent in performing their mutual duties, and would never seek that modern american abomination named “no fault divorce”.

God calls you to take marriage seriously:

“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. (Genesis 2:24) This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” (Ephesians 5:31-33)

Sex

Do you take sex seriously?

Many professing Christians do not. While most will indeed engage in (and even enjoy) sexual relations with their spouse on occasion, it seems that few are willing discuss (much lest devote themselves to) the scriptural model of human sexuality.

If more married Christians were willing forsake their victorian prudishness and follow scriptural precepts, they would engage in sex more regularly, enjoy it more thoroughly, and inherit a richer heritage and reward from the Lord through the birth of more children.

God calls you to take sex seriously:

“Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled…” (Hebrews 13:4) so “rejoice with the wife of your youth… let her breasts satisfy you at all times and always be enraptured with her love…” for “children are a heritage from the Lord and the fruit of the womb is a reward.” (Psalm 127:3)

Life

Do you take life seriously?

Many professing Christians do not. While many do usually acknowledge the beauty of all existing life, there seems to be few who are willing to honor God’s absolute sovereignty over it (i.e., when life begins and when it may be brought to end).

If more Christians took this seriously and then studied the Bible with a submissive heart, they would come to the conclusion that life begins at the moment of conception and may only be terminated by natural causes or capital punishment. They would also therefore avoid all abortifacient methods of birth control and unlawful end-of-life decisions.

God calls you to take life seriously:

For the psalmist confessed, “You formed my inward parts; you wove me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13), the Noahic Covenant established, “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed…” (Gen. 9:6) and God himself declares, “Now see that I, even I, am he — and there is no God besides me — I kill and I make alive…” (Deut. 32:39)

Parenting

Do you take parenting seriously?

Many professing Christians do not. While most are indeed happy to have children, it seems that few have taken seriously God’s command to be fruitful and multiply, to instruct children in the ways of the Lord, to discipline them often, and to raise a godly seed.

If more Christian parents took seriously their God-given calling and responsibilities, they would be far more fruitful and faithful. Moreover, the “children of the church” would then look, speak, and act much less like the impudent “children of the world” than they presently do.

God calls you to take parenting seriously:

“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward.” (Psalm 127:3) So “be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it…” (Genesis 1:28). Then “bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4) And rest assured, when they are old, they will not fall away. (Proverbs 22:6)